Coco Rocha may only be 23 years old, but the Canadian supermodel certainly isn't twiddling her thumbs between runway appearances and photo shoots. Together with Senhoa, a California-based nonprofit that supports victims of human trafficking through income-generating opportunities and programs for social integration, Rocha has developed a collection of seven jewelry pieces, handcrafted by the same women Senhoa is seeking to rehabilitate and empower.

BY WOMEN, FOR WOMEN

Rocha, who appears in a campaign shot by Nigel Barker, the infamous judge and photographer on America’s Next Top Model, became acquainted with Senhoa the day before her wedding to interior designer James Conran in France. Lisa Nguyen, the company’s founder and executive director, gave Rocha a bracelet that became the first of many Senhoa pieces she would wear to red-carpet events.

At Senhoa, the young women receive shelter, a full education, vocational training, and a renewed sense of self-worth.

“She told me the story behind the making of the jewelry and Senhoa,” Rocha recounts on her blog. “Aged 4 to 19, these girls are rescued from brothels and human trafficking in Cambodia. Many of the girls do not have a family to return to as it was their families who actually sold them into slavery in the first place.”

At Senhoa, she adds, the young women receive shelter, a full education, vocational training, and a renewed sense of self-worth. When they turn 15, they’re offered jobs in jewelry-making so they can gain economic independence. “In just two years, Senhoa now has more than 50 girls in this program,” Rocha adds.

A GLAMOROUS CAUSE

Rocha wanted to lend her voice to the cause, and the capsule collection was the result. “I knew I wanted to create bold statement pieces that were both powerful and beautiful as I felt that this would aptly symbolize the Senhoa girl who is being empowered by the Senhoa program,” she says. “We used high quality materials like Swarovski crystals in the jewelry, which not only add to the beauty of the product, but also help instill the feeling of self-worth in these girls who are now working with and associating themselves with materials of high value.”

With every piece sold, Senhoa is able to provide social services to women and children vulnerable to sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.

The jewelry, which includes earrings, cuffs, and a full-body halter necklace made from silver and gunmetal chains, offers glamour with a tough-girl edge. With every piece sold, Senhoa is able to provide social services to women and children vulnerable to sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.

And despite their couture image, the accessories aren’t as expensive as you might imagine, starting at $65 for a bracelet. “Our slogan with the Coco Rocha for Senhoa line is ‘accessorize your conscience’ because unlike many of the purchases you might make for yourself, you don’t need to feel guilty about this one,” Rocha says. “Once the older girls are paid for their time as jewelry-makers, all the profit goes to fund the food, medicine, shelter, and education of the younger ones. It’s a cycle of girls helping girls and I’m so proud to be a part of it all.”